Pipe-wrench.



F. BITTNER.

PIPE WRENCH.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 5, 1915.

F, B i il'nem.

FRANK BITTNER, OIE MOSINEE, WISCONSIN.

PIPE-WRENCH.

Application filed May 5, 1915.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRANK BITTNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mosinee, in the county of Marathon and State of WVisconsin, have invented certain new and useful .Improvements in PipeiVrenches; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descrip tion of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvement of pipe wrenches of that type, comprising a shank, provided at one end with a handle and at its opposite end with a relatively stationary jaw, a relatively movable jaw, and means for operating and controlling the relatively movable jaw.

One object of my invention is the provision of a wrench of the above stated character wherein the relatively movable jaw is pivotally secured to the shank, and wherein the shank is provided with a spring pressed pin adapted to move the relatively movable jaw into and yieldably hold it in open position.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a pipe wrench of the above stated character, wherein the relatively movable jaw operating and controlling means comprises a casing that embraces the main shank, and the shank of the relatively movable jaw. The shank of the relatively movable jaw has an inclined edge that co5perates with the inclined wall of the casing so that when the casing is moved in one direction the relatively movable jaw is moved into and held in closed or tight engaging position and, when the casing is moved in a reverse direction, the relatively movable jaw is free to be moved into and yieldably held in opened position by the spring pressed pin.

A further object of my invention is the provision of novel means by which the easing may be operated.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a pipe wrench of the above stated character which shall be simple, durable, efficient and which can be manufactured and sold at a comparatively low cost.

lVith the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described and claimed, and illustrated. in the accompanying drawings wherein Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 27, 1916.

Serial No. 26,043.

Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section of apipe wrench constructed in accordance with my inventioii, Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the wrench on a reduced scale, and Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the plane indicated by the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Referring to the drawings by reference numerals, 1 designates the shank of a pipe wrench constructed in accordance with my invention. The shank 1 is preferably rectangular in cross section and is provided at one end with a handle and at its opposite end with a relatively stationary jaw 3. The jaw 3 extends in a downward and outward direction from theshank and has a convex upper side which is serrated as at 4 to provide a gripping face. The side of the shank 1 is provided with a pair of relatively spaced lugs 5, to and between-which is pivotally secured by means of a pin 6, the inner end of the shank 7 The shank 7 carries at its .outer free end a relatively movable jaw 8 which extends downwardly and outwardly from the shank. The jaw S has a concave under side which is serrated as at 9 to provide a gripping face that cooperates with the active face of the jaw 3 to secure effective gripping action upon a pipe. The shank 1 is provided with .a screw thread 7 adjacent the handle and adapted to receive an adjusting nut 9 which is provided with a circular groove 10 adjacent one end thereof, for the purpose of receiving the reduced end of the casing which will be here inafter described.

A casing 11 is substantially triangular in outline and adapted to embrace the relatively movable jaw 8 and the shank 1. The upper wall 12 of. the casing 11 is inclined upwardly to cooperate with the inclined edge of the relatively movable jaw 8. The reduced end of the casing 11 is provided with an inwardly extending lug 13 which engages the groove 10 of the adjusting nut 9" so as to move the casing longitudinally of the shank 1 as desired, limiting the outward movement of the relatively movable jaw 8.

The shank 1 is recessed as indicated at 13 to receive a spring pressed pin 14: which normally engages the notch 15 on the under side of the relatively movable jaw 8 and presses said relatively movable jaw-8 into engagement with the inclined wall 12 of the casing 11 providing a wrench of self-spreading jaw type.

The casing 14 is provided with cut out portions 16 in the top and bottom walls thereof, providing finger openings so that the operator can at any time grip the jaws 3 and S for the purpose of releasing the relatively movable jaw 8, if it accidentally becomes lodged within the casingll and will not respond to the pressure of the springpressed pin 14.

It can be seen from the foregoing description that a pipe Wrench has been constructed that'is capable of being held within the left hand of the operator by the handle 2 and by rotating the adjusting nut 9 in the right hand will cause the casing 11 to travel longitudinally of the shank 1, limiting the outward movement of the relatively movable jaw, 8, at any desired position, ready to receive pipes of various sizes between the active faces of the jaws 3 and 8.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is A pipe wrench comprising a shank having a stationary jaw formed on one end and a handle on the opposite end thereof, a pair of spaced lugs formed on the upper edge of the shank, a movable shank pivotally secured between said lugs and provided with its upper edge inclined upwardly to a point approximately opposite one end of said stationary shank, a downwardly extended jaw formed on the free end of said movable shank, a substantially triangularcasing slidably mounted on the stationary shank, said casing having its upper wall inclined upolined edge of the movable shank, said stationary shank provided with a recess in the upper edge adjacent the outer. end thereof, a coil spring positioned within said recess, a pin positioned within said recess and adapted to rest upon said coil spring and to bear against the under side of the movable shank normally maintaining said movable shank in engagement with the upwardly inclined wall of the casing.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses. p f

FRANK BITTNER. \Vitnesses BRAYTON E. SMITH,

LEON WV. DAVIS.

, Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0.

'wardly to conform with the upwardly inv 

